Luke 23:44 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,

NIV: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,

NASB: It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the entire land until the ninth hour,

CSB: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three,

NLT: By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.

KJV: And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

NKJV: Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

Jesus has been hanging from the cross since the third hour—9 a.m. (Mark 15:25). Three hours later, the earth responds. In prophecy, darkness is a sign of judgment (Amos 8:9; Joel 2:10; Zephaniah 1:15). It's also used to protect people from the presence of God (Exodus 19:18). In Greco-Roman culture, it can represent the death of a prominent person.

We aren't told what causes the darkness. This cannot be a natural solar eclipse: Passover (Luke 22:15) happens in connection with a full moon, the opposite of the conditions for a solar eclipse. Nor do eclipses last three hours. This may be a natural phenomenon caused by God such as intense cloud cover. It may be a physical effect of the spiritual celebration of evil. Most likely, it's a sign of God's judgment, regardless of the mechanism.

Many things happen during this darkness. The temple curtain is torn from the top to the bottom (Luke 23:45). An earthquake rattles Jerusalem (Matthew 27:51, 54). Jesus cries out, making a curious statement about the Father forsaking Him (Matthew 27:46–50; Psalm 22:1). Then He dies.

The centurion declares Jesus innocent and the Son of God (Matthew 27:54; Luke 23:47). The crowds, many of whom had mocked Jesus, turn for home, beating their chests and mourning (Luke 23:48).

The statement in this verse continues into the first part of the next, speaking of time and darkness (Luke 23:45).

Luke 23:44–49 reports how the land turned dark and the temple veil was torn as Jesus gave His spirit to God and died. The centurion recognizes that Jesus is righteous, and the people go home, mourning. Jesus' acquaintances, including many of the women who support Him, look on from a distance. Matthew 27:45–56, Mark 15:33–41, and John 19:28–30 also record the death of Jesus.

Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.